Your Ultimate Guide to Saving Gas

There are many ways that you can save on gas but do you really know which ways will help you and which ways is just a waste of time? I have tried these methods and found that if you combine them all you will be saving a lot of money on gas just by changing the way you drive, the way your vehicle operates, and other helpful tips such as when you should fill the gas tank. There are many gas saving tips in this article to help you.

I searched the internet and I called up local mechanics to see what they had to say about how people could save on gas. Since I don't like writing down things without trying them first I got to be my own guinea pig and found the best ways for a person to save on gas.

Plan your trips and save on gas

Instead of making a bunch of trips to run your errands you should plan out your trip so that you can make each stop quickly and all in a day. Planning your trip so that you can do it all within a day will keep you from running back and forth throughout the week. The way you do this is to write down each item that needs to be done and find the easiest route to the all without having to zig zag back and forth.

It is also important for those who want to save on gas to plan their trips so that it is during a less busy time of the day. If you are sitting in a traffic jam and idling for a while you will be using a heap of gas.

It is also important to plan your trips so that there are fewer stops such as stop signs or stop lights so that you are not idling.

Saving gas in a parking lot

I don't know how many times I have seen someone drive around and around a parking lot trying to find a close place to park. If you park in the first parking spot that you find you will actually save gas by not having to drive for five to ten minutes to find a parking spot. The extra walk to the destination spot will also help you to get a little exercise also.

Walk when it is convenient

Did you know that a lot of gas is wasted by people who drive instead of walking to short destinations? If you have a lot of errands that are all in the same area, park your vehicle and get out and walk to them.

Search the internet for cheaper gas

There is cheaper gas out there and you may have not found it yet. Many gas stations or stores are starting to advertise their gas rates on the internet. They have realized that many people are now using the internet as a way to find cheaper gas in their area. Search the internet for places in your area that offers cheaper gas and you might be surprised that you may have been paying a lot more than what you could have been.

Places such as Gasbuddy.com or Gaspricewatches.com can help you to locate gas stations in your area that have cheaper gas.

Is your vehicle gas mileage affected by ethanol?

Find out if your vehicle is equipped to handle ethanol since many gas stations are now adding this to their gas. If you vehicle can not handle the use of ethanol then find a store that is 100% gas so that you don't damage your vehicle. Ethanol use in a vehicle that can not handle it can cause you vehicle to not perform as well as it could and this will affect your gas mileage.

When to purchase your gas

Statistically speaking, gas is cheaper on Wednesday. Wednesday is hump day and many people will not be traveling at this time therefore the gas stations usually keep the price lower to try and draw in customers. During the weekends most people will be traveling and so the prices will go up since the stores know that many will stop in to top off their tanks for the weekend.

Purchase your gas a few days before a holiday since gas prices are more than likely to rise during holidays. People travel and gas stations know this so they will most often raise the price.

When to put gas into your vehicle

When a vehicle is full of gas it is much heavier than what it is at a quarter of a tank. I have heard many experts say that it is actually better to fill your tank up when it is at a quarter since you will be lightening your load each time the gas tank goes down.

One thing that I have also learned is that we often waste gas by sitting at a gas station or by only putting in $10 one day and $10 the next thinking that we will eventually catch it when the prices are down. Each time I go to the gas station I have to waste gas to get there and I also waste gas by sitting in a line waiting for a gas pump to open. It would make more since to just fill your tank full than to have to sit and wait repeatedly in a line.

Prepare your vehicle for the road and save gas

Damaged vehicles or vehicles that are not in the best possible shape will use more gas than those that are kept in great condition. Be nice to your car and give it a tune up when needed, change the oil, upgrade your air filter, use a fuel injector cleaner often, check your tires and make sure that they are in good condition with the right air pressure, and do everything else that you possibly can to keep your vehicle in tip top shape.

Using the right grade of oil can also help you to save on gas since it reduces the friction in the motor. Most people don't look at their owners manual to see what the recommended oil is before purchasing it but you should so that you maintain your vehicle according to the manufacturers.

A vehicles air filter should be replaced ever 12,000 miles to help maintain the vehicle in better condition and help you to save on gas.

Lighter loads equals saving gas

When a car is weighed down it uses more gas since it takes more for the vehicle to get to the speed that you want it too. Remove all unnecessary items that will weigh the car down. Racks such as bicycle racks can also cause the car to use more since it is a heavy object so remove it and save gas.

Keep your vehicle from idling and save on gas

Idling uses more gas than most people realize and even though you may believe that you will only be idling for a few seconds those few seconds can add up. A drive-through can cause you to idle for a long time and so it may be better for you to park your vehicle and go inside than to be waiting in a line for a while.

Getting help to find the shortest distance to your destination

Such things as Map Quest and the GPS can help you find a shorter way to get you to the desired location that you are wanting. Use these systems to your advantage and you will save gas. These systems are also great to keep you from getting lost which can cause you to use a lot of gas trying to find a location.

Watch your speed while driving

Cruise control is a driver's best friend for many reasons and one of the reasons is that it can help you to save gas. If you do not have cruise control try to drive at a constant speed instead of accelerating or breaking real hard.

There is also a way to save gas by gradually picking up speed over an extended amount of time. I often stay in the right lane and slowly pick up speed so that I don't use as much gas as someone who accelerates to pick up speed quickly.

A driver should also not follow close behind another driver since this can cause you to come to a quick stop which can use more gas than slowly coming to a halt and then speeding up.

It has also been proven that the faster we go the more gas we will use. Try to drive at least the speed limit and slower if possible to save gas.

Taking off slowly from a stop will also help you to save gas since you will use a lot of gas if you try to take off at a fast speed.

Save gas by not letting it evaporate

When we park in the sunlight the gas starts to evaporate and so we will be wasting a lot of gas. Try to park your vehicle out of the sunlight. It has also been said that we will get more for our money if we put gas in our vehicles when it is early in the morning since this is the time that is the coolest.

Avoid areas that can cause you to use more gas

Many drivers weave back and forth on a road not meaning too but they often don't realize that they use a lot more gas each time that their tires are caught in a pot hole or rut since it slows the vehicle down and if you have the vehicle on cruise control the vehicle will try to regain the speed as quickly as possible.

Save gas by rolling up the windows

I have read in many places throughout the internet and library that you can actually save gas by rolling up your vehicle windows. This may seem a little bit extreme on a hot day but it does work since it helps the vehicles resistance against the wind. This is also the reason that many believe that driving behind a big rig will save you gas since the wind is swept around you.

If the summer months seem to make your vehicle much hotter it may be wise to tint your windows and purchase a car fan that can be hooked up through your cigarette lighter.

Not using your air conditioner during driving has proven to have little effect on the gas mileage and therefore if you have an air conditioner go ahead and use it. Many people have claimed that you use more gas but many tests have proven otherwise.

Avoid gas stations right off the highway, by amusement parks, or by lakes

When you are in a hot destination spot such as an amusement park or on a highway where there are signs about a gas station and it is the only gas station that you have seen for miles, chances are that they are going to be much higher in gas. Get plenty of gas before you jump on the highway or go on an adventure to the lake.

Saving gas by not driving

Reduce the amount of gas that you use by walking or riding a bike. The exercise that you get from walking or riding a bike will not only help you to feel more refreshed and to stay in shape but they will also help you to save gas and help out the environment.

Riding a bus or joining a carpool is another great way to save on gas. There are many people who also choose to do this so that they can relax when they are on their way to work and catch up on some of the notes from their last meeting.

Save gas by stopping the use of other vehicles

My husband and I are the owner to four vehicles but we have found that it is actually cheaper on us to use one vehicle instead of using two or more. When you only use one vehicle the family will start to make all their trips at once instead of throughout the week.